“It is important that we know where we come from, because if you do not know where you come from, then you don’t know where you are, and if you don’t know where you are, then you don’t know where you’re going. And if you don’t know where you’re going, then you’re probably going wrong” – Sir Terry Pratchett
‘Fit for Life’ through History
The history curriculum at John Spence is rooted in our school ethos of Fit for Life. We aim to develop articulate, reflective and curious historians who have the knowledge and skills to ask perceptive questions about their country and the wider world. By exploring how societies have developed over time, students are equipped to understand the present and confidently navigate the future as thoughtful, responsible citizens.
Skills and Knowledge
At Key Stage 3, students study history chronologically, gaining a secure understanding of the development of Britain from before the Norman Conquest through to the 20th century. Our curriculum goes far beyond the study of events; it is designed to provide repeated encounters with major historical themes such as the changing power of monarchy, religious developments, and the expansion of empire. This enables students to make connections across periods and understand long-term change.
All learning is framed through enquiry questions, with lessons focused on key historical concepts including cause and consequence, continuity and change, significance, and similarity and difference. Students learn how to analyse sources and interpretations, evaluate evidence, draw contrasts, and construct well-structured written arguments. These skills are revisited and deepened throughout KS3 to ensure meaningful progression.
Recurring themes such as religion, power, conflict, conquest and migration help students build a rich narrative of how society has evolved.
KS3 Overview
- Year 7
A thematic study of migration to the British Isles leads into the early medieval period, examining Anglo-Saxon England, the Norman Conquest and the central role of the Church. Students then explore major turning points such as Magna Carta and the emergence of Parliament, understanding the foundations of the democracy we live in today. - Year 8
Students study religious change under the Tudors before exploring shifts in political power during the Stuarts and the English Civil War. The curriculum then widens to global history through an investigation of the British Empire in India and Britain’s role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, concluding with how industrialisation transformed government, society and everyday life. - Year 9
Study begins with the causes of the First World War, followed by a focus on the war’s impact on medicine, the extension of the franchise and the changing role of women. Students then examine the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of dictatorship in Nazi Germany and the causes and course of the Second World War, culminating in an important and emotive study of the Holocaust.
Communication, Community and Careers
Communication, particularly high-quality written expression, is at the heart of success in history. Lessons embrace the school’s literacy focus by providing rich reading opportunities and explicitly teaching ambitious vocabulary. Students learn to evaluate the usefulness, reliability, and interpretations of sources and to produce clear, developed explanations of historical significance, causes, and consequences.
Independent homework tasks encourage research, retrieval, and revision skills, helping students become proactive learners capable of recalling, applying, and communicating historical knowledge securely.
History at John Spence promotes community, inclusion, and an understanding of British values—democracy, the rule of law, mutual respect, tolerance, and individual liberty. Students explore the experiences of people from diverse backgrounds, engaging with multiple cultures, perspectives, and creative achievements, which helps them develop empathy, critical thinking, and confidence in forming their own informed opinions.
History also equips students with highly transferable skills that support the Gatsby Benchmarks, including analytical thinking, evidence evaluation, persuasive communication, and independent research. By connecting historical knowledge with practical application, students develop the curiosity, adaptability, and resilience needed to succeed in further study, the workplace, and wider civic life.
Studying history at John Spence empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive as responsible, worldly citizens—truly Fit for Life.